The vast majority of former members of Parliament who now benefit from this entitlement never suffered the “loss” that justified it. It was never a condition of their terms of employment, and was not factored into salary determinations in the way that MP’s direct travel entitlements were.

They've now had 16 years to get used to the idea that this rort wasn't sticking around (and for 13 of those years they effectively got to enjoy it as sitting MPs). That's more than enough. Its time for it to go.